Tobacco smoking dependence in patients with depressive spectrum mental disorders: clinical, pathogenetic, and therapeutic aspects

Abstract

This review considers the clinical and pathogenetic aspects of an association between tobacco smoking dependence and depressive spectrum disorders. The comorbidity of these disorders has been established to be to a large extent determined by their common genetic bases. This association substantially affects the efficiency of treatment. Resistance to anti-nicotine and antidepressant medications is associated precisely with the comorbidity of these diseases. To enhance the efficiency of treatment, it is promising to include non-drug methods into the therapeutic complex. This makes it possible to achieve a gradual reduction in tobacco withdrawal syndrome and to prevent an exacerbation of comorbid depression.

Keywords

• depression
• tobacco smoking
• pathogenesis
• genetics
• comorbidity
• treatment